Created under the guidance of Reiki master Christopher Wilson, the music of Daniel Otsuka is tailor-made for Reiki, with all tracks at an average length of five minutes to indicate the proper time to change position. While some Reiki albums follow an ambient, natural direction, this one benefits from a very Japanese sense of dynamics: low, drawn-out wooden flute notes; shimmering tingsha bells; irregularly struck Japanese taiko; softly strummed zithers; occasional oceanlike gongs. All flow together with synthesized vocal pads, creating a beautiful and mysterious stillness. As the cover indicates, Reiki Healing Touch is ideal "for professional therapists or beginners," creating the perfect mixture of soothing and awakening, calming and invigorating, all merging in a tight yin/yang of active contemplation.

Opening with a thunderous gong, "Awakening of the Dawn" starts things off with a sense of mystery, like waking up in an alien landscape, a pink sky covered by low hanging clouds of chimes and stuttering bamboo flutes. As the album progresses, Otsuka's simple yet effective arrangements lend themselves to inner wandering, without allowing one to stray from the task at hand. Chiming bells and minimal percussion keep one's attention focused and indicate when it's time to change position, while long drawn-out low-end notes stir the soul, and the occasional reverberation of the gong awakens deep energy centers and facilitates healing. "Refreshing Sea Energies" creates a delightful yet foreboding sense of coming autumn chill, as a gently cascading harp and synth pads morph effortlessly from voice to shakuhachi flute.

Otsuka's music grows more contemplative and wistful as the album progresses. "Timeless Rays of Light" carries a somewhat Celtic edge of emotional longing and loss, summed up in the mournful yet gorgeous and familiar melody of the chiming electric piano and zither. While basically a functional album, as per its title, Reiki Healing Touch is also a transformative, deeply soothing experience in and of itself, providing a restful oasis for contemplation wherever you happen to be. In his humble, unassuming way, Otsuka has given us the keys to our own kingdom. Like the Zen concept of "thoughts without a thinker," this is music that seems to erupt from our own unconscious, like an inner child putting balloons on the mailboxes and street signs of your mind so you can find your way to the birthday party of the fully integrated spirit.